Rethinking Back Pain Treatments

Mar 21, 2018 12:00 AM

Author:
Libby Mitchell

Low back pain is the leading cause of disability around the world. It is estimated that more than 100-billion dollars is spent in the U.S. alone each year on treatments – more than almost any other health condition. And now there is growing concern that much of that money is being spent on treatments that either don’t work, or make the condition worse.

“It’s time to call attention to the problem of back pain and back pain management,” said Julie Fritz, PhD, associate dean for research in the College of Health at the University of Utah. “We need to look at how we can do better as health care systems.”

Currently opioid medications are among the most prescribed treatments for back pain and surgery is used at a higher rate in the United States than anywhere else in the world. In a series of essays published in The Lancet, Fritz and others lay out why those treatments and others are often ineffective and the alternatives that should be considered instead.

Exercise

All too often people with back pain let it sideline them. Instead they should keep moving with low impact aerobic exercises. People who stay active recover more quickly. And exercise is the one thing that may actually reduce the risk that back pain will begin or return. “That’s one thing we know for sure,” said Fritz. “The more active people are better off. Advocating that people rest is not the best advice.”

Avoiding Opioids

Medication is often a frontline for treating back pain. It’s time to consider other initial strategies – especially with the growing opioid addiction epidemic in the U.S. Recent studies have shown opioid painkillers are no better for treating chronic pain than non-opioid medication. “It doesn’t make sense to think of opioid medication as a first line approach,” said Fritz. “They aren’t helpful and they come with the risk of serious side effects.”

Improving Mindset

Back pain is a condition that can become chronic for many people but patients can, and do, get better. Having the expectation that the pain will ease may make it a reality sooner rather than later. “Even though episodes can be extremely painful we know it gets better,” said Fritz. “We need to encourage patients to have a positive expectation that movement is the best thing for them and that they will recover.”

Seeking Help

Patients need to know that help is available, and not in the form of a scalpel, an injection or a prescription pad. Instead they should seek out treatments to help them stay active. They also can get help from counselors to assist with depression or other emotional issues related to the pain.

Changing the way back pain is treated will improve the lives of patients and save millions in health care costs. It all starts with looking at what actually works, and what does not. “If we think about it differently we can treat it differently,” said Fritz.